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Preserving the heritage of Lakewood

These are the remarks I delivered before presenting plaques for the first two properties to be designated on Lakewood's historic register, minus a few of my stutterings and stammerings. We made the presentation in front of the City Council on March 17. For more information about the designations, see the city news release.

Mayor, Deputy Mayor, other members of the council, and other neighbors,

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce the first two historic properties designated to Lakewood’s Historic Register. I know from last week’s study session that you and the rest of us are in for a long meeting, so I will be brief. I do, however, want to acknowledge some fellow members of your Landmarks and Heritage Advisory Board who are here this evening: (Jack Avril and Cy Happy were in attendance)

In a city filled with many special properties, we honor two that I think we can all agree are among the most special. There has been a lot of discussion in recent weeks about countries in Europe, and the values that countries bring to the international community. It’s worth remembering that only 150 years ago, we might not have begun this meeting with a pledge of allegiance. If we had, we would have pledged to the Queen of England. There were people who considered the land you sit on very much part of Britain, as British as London and Liverpool.

The fact that this land is not affiliated with the United Kingdom has something to do with military might and geography, sure, but has more to do with the fact that American settlers kept coming and coming to this land – and would not go away. The United States assumed the Northwest largely by right of possession. Willis Boatman came here in the early 1850s and built the home we honor tonight. Willis and Mary Ann Boatman were typical of the pioneers who settled here.

The only guarantee for the pioneers was that they would face more risks and dangers than almost anyplace they were coming from. If that sentiment sounds familiar, there are people today willing to face risks and dangers they would not face at home – I think of the men and women who are stationed oversees in these difficult times. You can draw a straight line from the bravery of the Boatmans and other pioneers to the bravery of today’s men and women in uniform, and that alone makes their heritage an important one.

That we still have the physical heritage of Willis and Mary Ann Boatman has, of course, much to do with Dr. and Mrs. Guenter, who are here this evening. Most of us are content to buy a home built after World War II. We change around the cabinets, maybe switch out the sink every decade according to the fashion. By caring and restoring the Boatman property, the Guenters assumed a great challenge on behalf of all of us. For their efforts – for their caring – an entire city honors them tonight.

And if that task was not daunting enough, imagine taking care of an estate of 10 acres. The property now known as Lakewold Gardens was developed after the turn of the century and over many, many years. It feels funny in some ways to think such a living thing as history; and I am glad our board is called the Heritage Advisory Board because heritage is what this is about. Lakewold preserves the heritage of Lakewood during a very important era in the community’s history, responsible for some of our finest architecture. And there is more to Lakewold’s heritage as well; on Lakewold’s Web site is a marvelous quote from Mrs. Wagner:

"As we become more and more city creatures, living in man-made surroundings, perhaps gardens will become even more precious to us, letting us remember that we began in a garden."

Here again, The Friends of Lakewold are not taking the easiest path. And yet not only do they care for the building, and the grounds, but they have pioneered marketing among all local heritage properties. The folks at Lakewold work hard to be an attraction both for us, their neighbors, and people from around the world. If you will pardon an unspeakable pun, they make their heritage live and grow.

I’m not sure how each Lakewold. volunteer is rewarded. Maybe it’s the smiles on the faces of so many visitors. Maybe it’s the shouts of joy from young and old as they discover some new delight around a corner. Maybe it’s the repetition, with even greater splendor, of familiar annual blooms. I cannot believe we can reward the volunteers of Lakewold enough, so again, tonight, an entire city shows its appreciation and gratitude

If you have an idea or suggestion for a column, please send it along to wtneary@hotmail.com.

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